August 27, 2014

The northern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis), the only lizard species found in Canada’s Manitoba province has gotten some extra protections from the Canadian Herpetological Society, which designated the provincial park in which it can be found has been designated an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area.

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Spruce Woods Provincial Park in Manitoba is now the second area that offers protections for reptiles in the province, the first which is the snake pits in Narcisse, Man. The northern prairie skink has only been found in this park and thanks to the extra protections, has a chance to thrive in the park.

Sapphosyne/Wikipedia

The Northern prairie skink can be found in several states in the United States but can only be found in one province in Canada.

The northern prairie skink are brown and tan in coloration with light stripes along the back and sides. The juveniles have bright blue tails which fade as they age. The lizard grows to about 5 to 9 inches in total length. They are burrowers and feed on small invertebrates such as spiders, crickets and grasshoppers.